1967 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Factory Prototype Convertible

Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet ‘Low Grille' Factory Prototype

The wider, lower grille championed by Mercedes-Benz's Chief Designer Paul Bracq has become absolutely iconic within the history of Mercedes-Benz. Such iconography lends itself to the most rare examples being heavily guarded, always to remain with Mercedes. But one such rare icon escaped and remains a fine example of the 'Low Grille' design of the late 1960s.

Cars built for fine motor shows are certainly rare breeds of automobiles. Intended to reflect the best of a manufacturer's car-building and artistic creativity, the show car are frequent one-off designs, concepts that capture the imagination.

The factory prototype, however, is a different kind of car altogether. The factory prototype represents the face, the future of a particular model and it is usually an idea that precedes production by a few years. This makes the factory prototype particularly sought after.

Most often, Mercedes-Benz would hold onto its factory prototypes for its museums and other special displays. However, its 280SE Cabriolet, which had been built specially for the 1968 Brussels Salon, managed to escape detention and would eventually find itself up for auction at the 2012 RM Auctions event held in Monterey.

Paul Bracq had a vision of the ultimate 280 model styling. The vision actually came together over the better part of a half a decade with the 220 'Fintail' sedan built in the late-1950s, a cabriolet version coming a couple of years later and the 280 engine being built for the 1968 model year. To top it all off, Bracq's 'low-grille' design gave Mercedes' sedans a fresh and sporty look, perfect for another memorable period in Mercedes' history.

December of 1967, Bracq would put in the order for a cabriolet version that would be modified to suit the vision he had for the 280SE line that wasn't to start production and become available until the 1969 model year.

Chassis 111025-10-000041, the very chassis offered in RM Auctions event in Monterey in 2012, would be the chassis that would be chosen. The cabriolet body would then undergo the necessary modifications, which would include the 'low-grille' and the new 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine Mercedes-Benz would offer in 1968.

Using the 15th 280 engine built, the car would be completed in time for the 1968 Brussels Salon held in January of that year. And, given that it was a factory prototype, the car would be completed with two productions sheets. One would document its original data. The second would include specifications particular for the show in Brussels.

When originally finished, the car was finished in red metallic and accented with a parchment leather interior. The car was also completed with a new four-speed, floor-shift transmission, something that was not offered on later 3.5-liter cabriolets. This is one notable difference between this factory prototype and the models it was to represent for the future.

Initially, chassis 000041 would remain in Mercedes-Benz's collection with its original engine until 1970. Then, somehow, the car would be sold to Werner Munz Backnang. It was then imported to the United States in 1974 and remained in Los Angeles before being removed to Phoenix.

Mark Passarelli would come across an add for the car in 1999. Thoroughly expecting to have found a 1969 model of the cabriolet, Passarelli would be thoroughly confused upon first inspection of the car. For one thing, the car lacked a VIN. It also sported a different configuration than the 1969 models. This would send Passarelli on a search. Upon consulting the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California he would find out the true identity of the car and its origins.

During this time, Passarelli would determine to enter the car into a fully photo-documented ground-up restoration. When completed, the car would be finished in a period correct Middle Blue Metallic with cognac leather. The whole ensemble would be completed with a set of fitted luggage.

Sporting its 180 hp, 2.8-liter SOHC six-cylinder engine and Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 000041 remains highly original inside and out. Complete the then-new telescopic steering wheel, power windows and original Becker Europa radio, 000041, is a proverbial step back in time when companies did their best to reflect what the future had in store.

Fully restored, this handsome cabriolet would certainly be a welcomed wayward example in Mercedes' vast model history, and therefore, would be a proud addition to any collection. Heading to auction, the 1967 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet 'Low-Grille' Factory Prototype was expected to earn between $150,000 and $200,000.

Sources:
'Lot No. 252: 1967 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet 'Low Grille' Factory Prototype', (http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO12&CarID=r142&fc=0). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/featurecars.cfm?SaleCode=MO12&CarID=r142&fc=0. Retrieved 1 January 2013.

'1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z1393/Mercedes-Benz-280-SE.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z1393/Mercedes-Benz-280-SE.aspx. Retrieved 1 January 2013.

By Jeremy McMullen